Category: TV

I am Spartacus!

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Entertainment Weekly has a “First Look” at USA Networks’ upcoming Spartacus mini-series which stars ER’s Goran Visnjic in the title role. It’s always adanger to remake a classic like Spartacus. There’s no way it can be as good as the original, but I’ll bet that I’ll be watching in April. Will you?

John Ritter, Johnny Cash and The Falling Man

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Remembering three who died:

John Ritter died suddenly last night from a heart attack. He was only 54 years old. Although best known for his role as Jack Tripper on “Three’s Company” and the star of “8 Rules for Dating My Daughter,” I believe his best work was not in either of these sitcoms. It wasn’t even a comedy. I thought his best performance was as Vaughn in Sling Blade. Perhaps I’m in the minority with this opinion, but I know that we all agree that he was loved by his fans and will be missed.

Johnny Cash was known as the Man in Black. I remember as a child singing many of his songs… “A Boy Named Sue”…“Burning Ring of Fire”… “Folsom Prison Blues”… A new generation had discovered the Man in Black and he recently won an award on MTV. MTV! I’m so happy that he lived to see it and that we’ll always have his music.

The Falling Man. I just read a piece from Esquire magazine about the search to discover who was photographed jumping from one of the twin towers on 9-11-01. Tom Junod wrote such a compelling piece. Here are the first few opening lines:

In the picture, he departs from this earth like an arrow. Although he has not chosen his fate, he appears to have, in his last instants of life, embraced it. If he were not falling, he might very well be flying. He appears relaxed, hurtling through the air. He appears comfortable in the grip of unimaginable motion. He does not appear intimidated by gravity’s divine suction or by what awaits him.

I read the article and it stayed with me throughout day. The combination of my memories of that horrific day, combined with the beauty and horror of the photo and the eloquent text by Junod just kept coming back to mind time and time again as the day moved on.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of John Ritter, Johnny Cash, the Falling Man and all of the victims of 9-11.

New “Must See” TV

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As the new tv season draws near, these are the shows that interest me the most:
MONDAY* Everybody Loves Raymond: Believe it or not, I had never watched an episode until this summer. I found it to be one of the best comedies going and am looking forward to the new season.* Vegas: This is a new show and I may find myself checking it out even though it goes up against Everybody Loves Raymond.

TUESDAY* 24: The third season looks to come back as strong as the first two. 24 was one of my top two favorite shows last year. [Unfortunately The Shield won’t return until January!]WEDNESDAY* The West Wing: Always in my top three “must see tv” shows… but this season could be different with the lose of it’s creator. Still the last season’s finale left me wanting more.* Karen Cisco: Based on the Elmore Leonard’s character [from the book and movie], this is the new show that I’m most looking forward to.

THURSDAY* Survivor: This is a family viewing event each week which makes it a lot of fun.* ER:  Although not as good as it once was [few shows are], it still makes it to the “must see tv” weekly list.

FRIDAY* Boston Public: Moving the show to Friday’s isn’t going to help. I’m just hoping that it hasn’t jumped the shark.

SATURDAY* I usually watch a bad sci-fi movie on, oddly enough, the SciFi channel or maybe even rent a dvd since there’s not much on except Cops and that’s not “must see.”

SUNDAY* Alias: Yeah, I’m coming back for more… who can blame me?* The Lyon’s Den: I saw a preview of this before “28 days later” and was sold!

Well, at least it looks like there’s a little something every night worth checking out. Have I missed anything?

Playmakers Scores!

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Have you checked out ESPN’s new original series, Playmakers? If not, you should. So far two episodes have aired and they were both great!

Playmakers features an ensemble cast, with all of the characters played to perfection by mostly little known actors. The production values are first rate, but special mention should be given to the writing and direction. What could be a typical tv series about a football team is instead a compelling drama about the intertwining lives of characters who happen to play football for a living. But don’t get me wrong, the professional football backdrop is almost a character itself. I’m actually surprised at how real it all looks, sounds, and feels.

Playmakers is on Tuesdays at 9PM on ESPN. I give it my highest recommendation. Check it out… even if you don’t like football, I’ll bet you’ll like Playmakers.

Thinking About "Jerry’s Kids"

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For 38 years Jerry Lewis has hosted an annual telethon for muscular dystrophy and I’ve always had mixed feelings about it.
I like the idea of people opening their wallets to help those less fortunate. It’s fun to see the variety of acts. You know, stuff that would’t have a chance on tv since the days of Ed Sullivan. And I always have the hope that this year, with the money the telethon raises, a cure will be found.
Then there are the other parts. Like when the handicapped are rolled out and talked about as if they’re just to be pitied. Or when they’re referred to as “Jerry’s Kids.” That title, at least in my mind, conjures up images of handicapped children thrown out of society only to be saved after becoming one of “Jerry’s Kids.”
Jerry’s telethon raised a record $60,505,234 this weekend. No doubt that outweighs any negative thoughts I may have about it… at least until next year.

Gibson, Wyle & More

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  • Mel Gibson spent nearly $30 million of his own money to produce, co-write and direct “The Passion.” Some say it is a classic, while others hate it. Before I form my opinion, I think I should at least see it.
  • Noah Wyle will be taking a break this season from NBC’s top-rated drama ER. Wyle is not leaving for good but will take a break this season to spend more time with his wife, and their nine-month-old son. I’ll miss him but family has to come first!
  • Eighty-four prisoners escaped from a maximum security prison in northeastern Brazil early on Saturday through a 50-yard tunnel they dug to the jungle outside, police said. Colonel Klink is said to be shocked!
  • A burglar who took a nap after breaking into an elderly woman’s house in Amsterdam was arrested after she found him asleep on her couch. He’s hoping that he’s assigned to the prison in the item above!
  • A Japanese expedition equipped with infrared cameras will scour the Nepali Himalayas for six weeks starting Sunday in search of the legendary Yeti, or abominable snowman. I don’t know who will be happier if they find proof… them or Jazz!

Interman, Hellboy & More

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  • Jeff Parker’s The Interman rocks. It is one of the most intelligently written graphic novels that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Check it out. I’ll bet you’ll like it too!
  • CHUD has a nice interview with Ron “Hellboy” Perlman. Now, this is a comic movie that I can get behind!
  • Ashton Kutcher must be living right. He co-stars in “That 70’s Show,” hosts MTV’s “Punk’d.” Kutcher is up against Prince William in an online vote for People magazine’s top bachelor of the year, and is dating Demi Moore. Wouldn’t you think that dating Demi Moore would be enough?
  • A woman has claimed that Ozzy Osburne is the father of her six year old child. I guess she didn’t know that Ozzy had a vasectomy 17 years ago.
  • Seahorses are their own worst enemy. They’ve been fished to the point of extinction, yet they mate for life and their unwillingness to seek new partners after being separated has done little to improve their chances of survival. Seems the seahorses don’t believe until “death do us part.”

Incredible Collateral & More

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    • The folks that brought you Toy Story  are coming back with The Incredibles.   The trailer is up now and is a hoot! Man, can I relate to that guy!

  • Tom Cruise is in talks to play a hitman in Collateral, writer-director Michael Mann’s next project. Can I buy a ticket now?
  • Rocky Balboa not only makes the AFI’s “100 Years…100 Heroes & Villains” but cracks the top ten! Take that Luke Skywalker!
  • Martin Scorsese is bringing together a great cast which includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale and singer Gwen Stefani to star in “Aviator,” a Howard Hughes biopic. Surprisingly this doesn’t really get me flying.
  • Singer/songwriter Barry Manilow walked into a wall in the middle of the night with such force that it broke his nose and left him unconcious for several hours. Anybody want to chip in for some nightlights?
  • A German judge fined an ill-tempered pizza delivery man $610 for spitting into a salad order. Everyone knows you NEVER tick off the delivery guy!

No TV & More

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  • Don’t you just hate this in-between time for tv seasons? No new epsiodes of “Alias,” Boston Public,” “24,” “The Shield,” “West Wing,” or “ER.” At least I can look forward to new episodes of “Lucky” and “The World Series of Poker.”
  • Stephen Glover aka Steve-O of MTV’s “Jackass” admitted in a Swedish court that he had drugs in his hotel room. “I had an ecstasy pill in my bag and I smoked marijuana in the hotel room. I admit to both of those crimes,” Steve-O said but claimed he was joking about swallowing a condom filled with marijuana and hashish. Jackass indeed!
  • A judge overturned a convicted murderer’s death sentence because jurors consulted Biblical passages such as an “eye for an eye” during death-penalty deliberations. Would there have been a conviction if they had read “turn the other cheek?”
  • A philosophy student took her virginity off the auction block after an anonymous benefactor lent her the tuition money she lacked. “To give or not to give -THAT is the question.”
  • Spiders have infested a county jail in northeast Arkansas, biting at least 15 inmates and confounding the exterminator. Confounding the exterminator? “Uh warden, I’m a bit confused… those little buggers are too fast for a needle and they won’t sit in the chair! What am I to do?”
  • Meow Mix chief executive officer Richard Thompson is recovering — with his sense of humor intact — after being bitten by a Rottweiler. “Talk about turning the other cheek.”

No TV and Strange News

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  • Don’t you just hate this in-between time for tv seasons? No new epsiodes of “Alias,” Boston Public,” “24,” “The Shield,” “West Wing,” or “ER.” At least I can look forward to new episodes of “Lucky” and “The World Series of Poker.”
  • Stephen Glover aka Steve-O of MTV‘s “Jackass” admitted in a Swedish court that he had drugs in his hotel room. “I had an ecstasy pill in my bag and I smoked marijuana in the hotel room. I admit to both of those crimes,” Steve-O said but claimed he was joking about swallowing a condom filled with marijuana and hashish. Jackass indeed!

  • A judge overturned a convicted murderer’s death sentence because jurors consulted Biblical passages such as an “eye for an eye” during death-penalty deliberations.
    Would the conviction have stood if they had read “turn the other cheek?”
  • A philosophy student took her virginity off the auction block after an anonymous benefactor lent her the tuition money she lacked. “To give or not to give -THAT is the question.”

  • Spiders have infested a county jail in northeast Arkansas, biting at least 15 inmates and confounding the exterminator. Confounding the exterminator? “Uh warden, I’m a bit confused… those little buggers are too fast for a needle and they won’t sit in the chair! What am I to do?”
  • Meow Mix chief executive officer Richard Thompson is recovering — with his sense of humor intact — after being bitten by a Rottweiler. “Talk about turning the other cheek.”

Rodriguez, Underworld & More

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* I’m really really looking forward to Robert Rodriguez’s “Once Upon a Time in Mexico.” It’s the third in his trilogy. Denmark MSN has posted up some cool shots from it. Check ’em out! [Thanks to Dark Horizons for the link]
* The official site for “Underworld” has opened. Watch the trailer and then mark your calendar for the premiere!
* 33.7 million people tuned in to watch Ruben Studdard win the title of “American Idol” last night. That’s more than the number of people who watch the Academy Awards which is traditionally the most-watched entertainment event of the year!
* Scott Bairstow who appeared in last year’s Disney flick “Tuck Everlasting” as well as in several TV series [“Lonesome Dove,” :Wolf Lake,” “Harsh Realm,” and “Party of Five”] has been charged with having sex with a 12-year-old girl. What’s worse is that she’s a relative by marriage… and the evidence looks like it’s true.

Must See TV?

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  • “The Matrix Reloaded” set one box office record by raking in over $42 million on it’s first day. I“The Matrix Reloaded” should also set a new record for a “R” rated movie’s weekend gross [“Hannibal” holds the record with the $58 million it made during its opening weekend].
  • Rob Lowe’s returning to in a new tv series called “The Lyon’s Den.” I enjoyed him in “West Wing” and would have been more interested if his character there spun off into his own series. Although I may give it a try since there’s nothing else I watch on Sundays at 10PM.
  • “Tarzan and Jane” is a modern day look at Tarzan, but with a twist. He’s been brought back to “the glass and steel canyons of another jungle – New York City. From his rooftop perch, Tarzan protects the city with the primal morality that proclaimed him king of the jungle.” Throw in a love triangle with Jane and you’re on to something… something I would watch except that it’ll be on the same time as “Alias.”
  • James Caan stars in “Las Vegas” as Big Ed Deline, a former CIA agent who runs the best surveillance company in Vegas. “You can bet on high stakes and high-speed action in this adrenaline-fueled drama from the writer of “The Fast and the Furious.” You can bet that I’ll give it a shot.
  • “Jake 2.0” is about computer technician who through an accident can shrink to an atomic level, possesses superhuman strength, lightning-fast speed, heightened hearing, magnified vision and the ability to communicate telepathically with computers. Now if he only has the power to bring in an audience! [I’ll be watching “West Wing.”]
  • Based on the character portrayed by Jennifer Lopez in Elmore Leonard’s Out of Sight, “Karen Sisco” could benefit from the curiosity factor and a weak competition. It might be worth a look.
  • “Threat Matrix” follows “a highly specialized, elite task force trained and equipped to counter anyone or anything that threatens our nation. The head of this super-secret team is Special Agent John Kilmer. He reports only to the President and has authority to call upon the technical skills, firepower, and specialist agents of the FBI, CIA and NSA. ” Man, this sounds like fun… the question is can it survive “Survivor”?
  • Joe Pantoliano, [“The Matrix”] is “The Handler,” an FBI agent who trains street operatives and prepares them to go undercover. Maybe.
  • So what looks good to you?

Arnie, Lector and All Stars

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in an Atari video game based on “T3” that will be released this fall. It’s the first time Schwarzenegger has contributed his likeness and voice to a video game. What’s scary is the game version may be more life-like than the real Arnold! [Just kidding, you know I’m a fan!]
  • “The Lecter Variation: The Story of Young Hannibal Lecter” is now being mapped out by his creator Thomas Harris for a film which will track the cannibal killer from childhood to early adulthood. Hmmm… maybe I’ll have someone over for dinner… and a movie?
  • Richard Hatch, Rudy Boesch, Tina Wesson, Ethan Zohn and Jerri Manthey return next season for a “Survivor” all-star version. Let’s hope that no one tunes in and thinks they’re watching a rerun.

X2, Pop King and More

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  • “X2: X-Men United” held on to the top box-office spot for the second weekend in a row. It took in $40 million for a total of $147+ million!
  • “The King of Pop,” Michael Jackson has sued Universal Music Group for royalties for the re-release of songs he made in the 1970s.
  • CBS loves Ray Ramano, the star of “Everybody Loves Raymond” to the tune of about $1.8 million an episode next season.
  • Boxing’s return to network television has generated competitive ratings and led to talks for more weekly fights. Now that IS good news!
  • The finale of “Survivor: The Amazon” saw 21-year-old Jenna take the crown and the $1 million prize. Man, I was hoping Rob or Matt would win!
  • Whoopi Goldberg, James Caan, Rob Lowe and Alicia Silverstone will have tv shows on NBC in the fall.

Cruise, Ming and OZ

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  • NBA star Yao Ming took center stage at a telethon Sunday, which raised more than $300,000 to help researchers seeking a cure for SARS. The Houston Rockets center said this was his way of giving back to his homeland. If only more celebrities felt this way!

 

  • Was it a break-in or a break-out? Speaking of Prison… I rented season one of OZ. I’ve heard great things about the HBO series… and ya gotta love a good prison story.